Bangabandhu Tunnel: Tk200 fixed for car toll

The government has set a toll for using the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel, which was built beneath the Karnaphuli River in Chattogram, ranging from Tk200 for cars to Tk1,000 for four-axle trailers.

Abul Hasan, the deputy secretary of the bridge division, signed a circular that was made public on Thursday by the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges.

According to the notice, drivers must pay Tk200 to enter the tunnel. A jeep or pickup van must pay the same fee while Tk250 is fixed for a microbus.

A toll of Tk300 would apply to buses with fewer than 31 seats, Tk400 for those with 32 or more, Tk500 for three-axle buses, Tk400 for trucks up to 5 tonnes, Tk500 for vehicles from 5 to 8 tonnes, and Tk600 for trucks from 8 to 11 tonnes.

On the day when the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel opens to vehicular traffic, the announcement will take effect.

The first under-river tunnel in South Asia was widely awaited, and as of earlier on June 14, 97.5% of the work had been finished.

According to Minister of Road Transport and Bridges Obaidul Quader, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina would likely inaugurate the tunnel in September.

/MHK/